Punctuality on V/Line’s Albury Line has plummeted, with March recording the worst result since July 2013. More than 45 per cent of trains failed to arrive on time in March 2018, a figure more than half the company’s target of 92 per cent of services running on time. Of the 170 scheduled Albury Line trains in March, eight were cancelled, while only 88 operated on time. In the past year V/Line’s Albury line has not reached both its punctuality and reliability targets in the same month. On the Albury line V/Line reached their reliability goal of 96 per cent four times since April 2017, and their punctuality target of 92 per cent, once. V/Line chief executive James Pinder said in March 54.3 per cent of services arrived on time while 95.3 per cent of services were delivered, 13 per cent more than in February. March’s reliability result was the highest since September 2017. “It was pleasing to see such a jump last month because we want to be offering a reliable service to our passengers and we’ll be working to ensure that continues,” he said. “We had no recorded cancellations due to locomotive faults last month, which is due to the new maintenance processes we have implemented for the Albury standard gauge classic fleet since early January. “There was a drop in on-time performance, which was really disappointing and we apologise to passengers for the delayed services last month. “We do have ongoing speed restrictions on the line due to the condition of the track and that is contributing to the delays.” Mr Pinder said now $1.7 billion was secured for the Regional Revival program, an extra $135 million, on top of the initial $100 million, had been allocated to upgrade the Albury line. He said the upgrades would allow VLocity trains to run on the line. Mr Pinder said delays were also caused by copper wire theft and a large steel coil falling from a freight train, obstructing the track.

Trains in loco-slow-motion, as V/Line records lowest punctuality since 2013

Punctuality on V/Line’s Albury Line has plummeted, with March recording the worst result since July 2013.

More than 45 per cent of trains failed to arrive on time in March 2018, a figure more than half the company’s target of 92 per cent of services running on time.

Of the 170 scheduled Albury Line trains in March, eight were cancelled, while only 88 operated on time.

In the past year V/Line’s Albury line has not reached both its punctuality and reliability targets in the same month.

V/Line's Albury line punctuality (purple) and reliability (dotted) from April 2013 to March 2018.

On the Albury line V/Line reached their reliability goal of 96 per cent four times since April 2017, and their punctuality target of 92 per cent, once.

V/Line chief executive James Pinder said in March 54.3 per cent of services arrived on time while 95.3 per cent of services were delivered, 13 per cent more than in February.

March’s reliability result was the highest since September 2017.

“It was pleasing to see such a jump last month because we want to be offering a reliable service to our passengers and we’ll be working to ensure that continues,” he said.

“We had no recorded cancellations due to locomotive faults last month, which is due to the new maintenance processes we have implemented for the Albury standard gauge classic fleet since early January.

“There was a drop in on-time performance, which was really disappointing and we apologise to passengers for the delayed services last month.

“We do have ongoing speed restrictions on the line due to the condition of the track and that is contributing to the delays.”

March 2018's reliability and punctuality figures across V/Lines long distance service.

Mr Pinder said now $1.7 billion was secured for the Regional Revival program, an extra $135 million, on top of the initial $100 million, had been allocated to upgrade the Albury line.

He said the upgrades would allow VLocity trains to run on the line.

Mr Pinder said delays were also caused by copper wire theft and a large steel coil falling from a freight train, obstructing the track.